Côtes de Thongue:Domaine Les Filles de Septembre 'Tradition' is a mid-weight, forward-drinking, crowd-pleasing southern red wine with a palate of juicy garrigue fruit over subtle tannins.
Roland and Hugues are fifth generation vignerons, having taken over the estate from their parents in 1995. Whilst, historically, all the wine was sold en vrac as a bulk commodity, Hugues and Roland are now bottling and marketing their entire production themselves. Roland takes responsibility for the vineyard, Hugues (a doctor by training) for the winemaking and Roland's wife, Françoise, sells the wine at local markets and fairs. The domaine consists of 40 hectares of vines planted with a mix of Bordelais and Mediterranean grape varieties. The Côtes de Thongue classification is well-supported by a 40-strong growers' syndicat and, as is common in many parts of the Midi with no local appellation of their own, the vin de pays is treated with as much concern for terroir and quality as one would expect to find within a full-blown AOC.Already established as a firm favourite with 'Team Yapp' in Mere, it has a bright bouquet of brambly fruit and a juicy palate with red berry flavours over soft, ripe tannins.